On a snowy evening, Illinois (8-4, 5-4) played its final game of the regular season. As was the theme for most of the year, the Illini went back and forth with the Northwestern Wildcats (6-6, 4-5).

Illinois hung on through thick and thin to secure the win. The 20-13 victory makes sure the Land of Lincoln Trophy will stay in Chamapign for another year. It’s the second win in a row over the Wildcats, and the fourth in the last five meetings.

“To get the Land of Lincoln Trophy, with two trophy games every year, and now for two years back-to-back to have all of those in our possession … is very, very special,” said head coach Bret Bielema.

Round and round they go

Much like the weather conditions, the game swirled around between Northwestern and Illinois. The Wildcats struck first, knocking down a field goal in the first quarter. Illinois got right back with two touchdowns in the second.

However, things slowed down from there. Northwestern continued to hang around, though. In the fourth, Illinois was backed up in its own territory and fumbled the ball away up just one score. The defense held Northwestern to a field goal, but the offense gave the ball back shortly after.

With fewer than six minutes left in the game, Northwestern had the ball down just four points.

Enter senior defensive back Miles Scott.

Scott came soaring in from deep in the secondary to pick off Northwestern’s graduate student quarterback, Preston Stone. His 33-yard return set Illinois up with great field position, already inside the red zone.

While the Illini couldn’t find the endzone, they did knock a field goal through the uprights and drain over two minutes off the clock.

Northwestern once again began driving down the field, trying to tie the game. Once again, Scott stepped up.

Stone’s pass went off the hands of his intended receiver, and the senior was in the right place at the right time. Scott dove for the ball and came up with his second interception in a matter of minutes.

“That truly made my heart so warm,” said senior linebacker Dylan Rosiek. “Just to see (Scott) get the two interceptions on his senior day, it just gives me chills to think about.”

Scott wasn’t the only senior who made an impact. Plenty of Illinois’ veterans showed up in their final game at Gies Memorial Stadium.

Seniors came to play

In what is likely his final game for the Illini, senior defensive back Torrie Cox Jr. snagged his first interception of the season. The pass was tipped into the air by Northwestern’s receiver, and Cox made a diving catch for the turnover.

“I’m so happy to see what (Torrie Cox) is doing, man,” Scott said. “I love seeing it.”

Just a few plays later, Illinois found the endzone as junior running back Kaden Feagin made a diving play of his own, jumping over his offensive line and Northwestern defenders to score.

Throughout the game, quarterback Luke Altmyer was calm and collected. With the snow and wind having a major impact on the game, the senior didn’t throw much. When he did, he was on the money.

Altmyer finished the game 10 for 15 for 136 yards. Five of his passes went for over 10 yards.

After a stellar season, receiver Hank Beatty gave one more unique performance for the orange and blue. The senior had three receptions for 21 yards. He also showed off his arm once again, tossing a 28-yard pass to fellow senior Tanner Arkin.

The tight end had himself a game, catching the pass from Beatty for the longest reception of his career. He finished the game with two catches for 33 yards. 

It was a fitting end for linebacker Gabe Jacas as well. In the third quarter, Jacas came flying off the edge and blew up Stone. He nearly had another one just two plays later.

Jacas got his get-back on the next drive. He chased down Stone yet again. Stone threw the ball away, and while it was originally ruled an interception, it was overturned to be a sack. 

His performance against Northwestern brings his career total to 27 sacks, further solidifying his place in Illinois history. Jacas sits at No. 2 in career sacks and is now four ahead of No. 3, Scott Davis.

“He’ll probably be, in my opinion, our highest draft pick,” Bielema said. “It hasn’t come easy. He worked very hard.”

Fellow linebacker Leon Lowery Jr. recovered a fumble to completely flip the momentum on the same drive as Jacas’ sacks. Stone fumbled the snap on a fourth-down attempt, and Lowery was right there for the recovery.

Along with his huge interception, Scott had a crucial pass breakup in the fourth quarter. At the 3-yard line, Northwestern opted to pass. Scott was right there to break it up, and it forced the Wildcats to settle for a field goal rather than find the endzone.

Bowl game bound

Illinois is postseason-bound after an eight-win season. The specific bowl game the Illini play in will be announced in early December. It’s the first time Illinois has gone to bowl games in back-to-back years since 2010-11.

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